Tape-less digital video camera buying advice

[Scott Catron]

We've been using Sony video cameras for about 16 years now - started with a hand-me-down from the in-laws that looks like a small broadcast TV camera now. We still have it. Anyway, we're now using a Sony D8 camera and it's balky once in a while - get a message to re-insert the tape. There's no official fix from Sony, but I found an on-line fix that works - re-insert and give it a firm rap before trying to turn in on.

Needless to say, we're getting tired of this and are looking at tape-less options.

Does anyone have any experience with a hard-drive or flash-memory camera?

For hard-drives, what do you do after you've filled the HD? Transfer to tape? Save on a computer (how big are these files)? Make a DVD?

For flash-memory cameras what do you do after you've filled a card, just buy a new card?

I'd like to stick with Sony just so we can use the InfoLithium batteries we've accumulated over the years. I've been looking around and the one that I've found in my price range is the Sony DCR-SR82 1MP 60GB HDD Handycam for $608.61 at Amazon.com.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.